In 2016 I competed on and won an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games. The dish I won with is this Asian-marinated skirt steak paired with a citrus arugula salad. It’s juicy, full of umami, and surprisingly easy to make. The marinade and dressing bring savory depth, bright citrus notes, and a balance of sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for more.

The original challenge on the show was to create a satisfying lunch while sticking to a budget and using coupons. This combination is ideal for lunch — versatile enough to enjoy as a sandwich, a composed salad, or a bowl over rice or potatoes. No matter how you serve it, the flavor is the star.



Here’s the recipe:
Asian Marinated Skirt Steak & Citrus Arugula Salad
My Guy’s Grocery Games winning dish — a perfect umami-packed lunch.

Servings: 2 people
Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Ingredients
Steak Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ponzu sauce
- 1 tsp miso paste
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 lb skirt steak
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups arugula
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 blood orange, segmented and cubed
- 1 nectarine, sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame
Salad Dressing
- 2 tbsp ponzu sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp miso paste or soy sauce
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional
- Toasted bread, for serving or to make a sandwich
Instructions
- Whisk the marinade ingredients (ponzu, miso, ginger, sesame oil, honey) in a bowl. Add the skirt steak and coat it thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes — longer if you can.
- Prepare the salad by combining arugula, thinly sliced fennel, nectarine slices, edamame, and orange segments in a bowl. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and set aside. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving.
- Heat a pan or grill pan over medium-high heat until it’s slightly smoking. Sear the steak 2–5 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium, depending on thickness.
- Remove the steak from heat and let it rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Slice against the grain into thin strips.
- Serve the sliced steak over the salad. Alternatively, soak toasted bread in the steak juices and build a sandwich for an indulgent lunch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation: Calories: 1322 kcal; Carbohydrates: 72 g; Protein: 113 g; Fat: 68 g; Saturated Fat: 17 g; Sodium: 3064 mg; Fiber: 15 g; Sugar: 43 g. Use these values as a guideline.
Tried this recipe? Mention @flavorsbyalessandra or tag #flavorsbyalessandra!